FEMA OBLIGATES MORE THAN $14.4 MILLION TO MONROE COUNTY FOR HURRICANE IRMA DEBRIS REMOVAL THIS WEEK

The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded more than $14.4 million for Hurricane Irma debris removal to Monroe County this week. In two separate transactions, FEMA obligated $5,911,779.12 and $8,506,848.94 million to the State of Florida to be dispersed to the County.

 

The funding from the FEMA Public Assistance Program authorizes 77 percent for the first award and 75 percent for the second award of federally allocated reimbursement for collection, reduction, disposal, and site management of the debris created by the 2017 hurricane. The State of Florida and Monroe County split the other 23 percent and 25 percent equally.

 

Before the money is released to the County, the process includes a last step of approvals from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

 

“It will take a couple of weeks to go through the finance process at the state level,” said Tina Boan, Director of Finance and Budget for Monroe County. “I am optimistic that the money will be released to Monroe County by the July Board of County Commissioners meeting.”

 

To date, the County has received $7.8 million for full or partial payments on Hurricane Irma related sanitary facilities, fire rescue medical supplies, temporary fencing, satellite systems, Higgs Beach sand cleanup, temporary road and sign repair, emergency operations center materials, sheltering and evacuation, fuel reimbursements, and the first 30 days of staffing.

 

As of May 31, 2019, the County has submitted $51.7 million to FEMA for reimbursement, with $34.5 million being validated, so far. A detailed list of projects submitted to FEMA that have been obligated, paid, pending, or are under review can be found at www.monroecounty.com/irmafinancials.

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